System for automatically attaching and detaching seismic nodes directly to a deployment cable

Abstract

Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for automatically attaching and detaching seismic devices to a deployment cable, including a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes. A node installation system may include a moveable node carrier coupled to a cable detection device and a node attachment device that is configured to move a direct attachment mechanism on a node into a locking or closed position about the deployment cable. In an embodiment for retrieval and/or detachment operations, the system may also be configured to automatically detect the position of a node and remove the node from the deployment line by actuating the direct attachment mechanism into an open or unlocked position. Other devices besides a node may be attached and detached from the deployment line if they are coupled to one or more direct attachment mechanisms.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An autonomous seismic node installation device, comprising:
 a node carrier configured to move along a travel path of a deployment line on the back deck of a marine vessel, wherein the node carrier is configured to hold an autonomous seismic node; 
 one or more cable detection mechanisms configured to detect a node placement position on the deployment line; 
 one or more node attachment mechanisms configured to automatically couple the node to the node placement position; and 
 one or more cable holding mechanisms configured to be coupled to a length of the deployment line, wherein the cable holding mechanism comprises one or more arms that is configured to be positioned around the deployment line. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deployment line comprises a plurality of ferrules coupled to the deployment line, and wherein the one or more cable detection mechanisms is configured to detect at least one of the plurality of ferrules. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more cable detection mechanisms comprises one or more moveable arms. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more node attachment mechanisms is configured to secure the seismic node to a length of the deployment line by actuating at least one direct attachment mechanism on the node. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the node carrier is configured to accelerate to a speed that is approximately the same speed as the deployment line. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the node carrier comprises a platform that is configured to be moved from a first vertical position to a second vertical position. 
     
     
       7. A system for automatically attaching a plurality of seismic devices to a deployment line, comprising:
 a detection device configured to detect an attachment position on a length of a deployment line; 
 a positioning device configured to position a seismic device proximate to the attachment position; and 
 an attaching device configured to automatically attach the seismic device to the attachment position. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of seismic devices comprises a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of seismic devices comprises a plurality of transponders. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the detection device comprises one or more moveable arms configured to be coupled to a length of the deployment line. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the positioning device comprises a carrier configured to be moved from a first lateral position to a second lateral position. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 7 , further comprising an actuating device configured to move a locking mechanism on the seismic device into a locking position about the deployment line. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the system is located within a portable shipping container that may be transferred to the back deck of a marine vessel. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a detaching device configured to automatically detach a seismic device from the deployment line. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the detaching device comprise a fail safe node remover. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the attaching device is configured to couple the deployment to one or more node locks on the seismic device. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the attaching device is configured to push the deployment line into one or more node locks on the seismic device. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the attaching device is configured to pull the deployment line from one or more node locks on the seismic device. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment device comprises at least one moveable arm. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the attaching device is configured to couple to the deployment line. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the detection device is configured to detect at least one of a plurality of ferrules coupled to the deployment line. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the detection device is configured to detect at least one of a plurality of references markers located on the deployment line. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a detaching device configured to automatically detach an attached seismic device from the deployment line. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the attaching device is configured to automatically detach an attached seismic device from the deployment line. 
     
     
       25. A system for attaching and detaching a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes to and from a deployment line, comprising:
 a positioning device configured to position each of a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes proximate to an attachment position on a length of a deployment line; and 
 an attaching device configured to automatically attach each of the plurality of autonomous seismic nodes to the attachment position for each of the plurality of autonomous seismic nodes, wherein the attaching device is configured to automatically detach each of a plurality of attached autonomous seismic nodes from the deployment line. 
 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 25 , further comprising one or more moveable arms that is configured to be coupled to the deployment line for positioning or attaching each of the plurality of autonomous seismic nodes to the deployment line. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 25 , wherein the positioning device comprises at least one moveable arm configured to be coupled to the deployment line. 
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 25 , wherein the attaching device comprises at least one moveable arm configured to be coupled to the deployment line. 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 25 , wherein the attaching device is configured to couple the deployment line to one or more node locks on the autonomous seismic node. 
     
     
       30. The system of  claim 25 , wherein the attaching device is configured to push the deployment line into one or more node locks on the autonomous seismic node. 
     
     
       31. The system of  claim 25 , wherein the attaching device is configured to pull the deployment line from one or more node locks on the autonomous seismic node.